The Supreme Master Ching HaiBy Formosa Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)
As of August 2018, the number of Rohingya refugees in the Cox-Bazar region of Bangladesh had increased from 500,000 to nearly 1 million with supplies in the refugee camps very scarce. Additionally, June 2018, saw consecutive days of heavy rainfall which caused severe flooding in Sylhet Division, submerging many farms and houses, especially in Moulvibazar District where the situation was the worst and assistance was still needed.
On August 22, 2018, Supreme Master Ching Hai donated US$ 38,000 and instructed our Association relief team in Formosa (Taiwan) to go to Bangladesh and help Rohingya refugees and the flood victims in Sylhet Division. In addition, our Association members also contributed US$ 4,006 towards the relief fund. The relief team set out from Taipei on August 24 and arrived in the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, on the 25th. We immediately discussed the perilous situation of refugees and flood stricken areas with our local Association members. We were told that what the people needed most, was food.
Rohingya refugee camp
Early in the morning of August 26, our relief team members flew to Chittagong. Through the assistance of the local Red Crescent Society, we purchased a large amount of relief supplies which then were divided into 2,640 relief packages, each of which contained 5 kilograms of rice, 5 kilograms of potatoes, and 1 kilogram of lentils. On the 27th, we took a 5-hour ride to Rohingya refugee camp in the Cox-Bazar region. In order to inspect items and ensure the quality of relief materials, the refugee camp has adopted a new policy that required all relief supplies be sent to Upazila Parishad for inspection. After obtaining permission, we went to the office of the refugee camp management and were escorted by the military to two designated drop off points to distribute the supplies. We distributed 1,320 packages at the 3rd and the 4th areas respectively in Kutupalong refugee camp.
From Taipei, we had also brought 70 kilograms of vegan cookies and candies to be shared with the children and people in the disaster stricken area. Most of the vegan cookies were taken to the refugee camp and distributed to the children by our Association members in Bangladesh in early September, therefore we only brought 2 large packets with us to distribute randomly. Upon receiving the supplies, the refugees were extremely happy and were very grateful for the relief and comfort from afar. At that time, the Sun was shining bright uplifting everyone from the gloomy weather as we finished distributing supplies in a warm atmosphere.
Sylhet Division
On August 28, our team member contacted a friend in Sylhet who purchased relief supplies in advance and helped pack them into 1,300 packages, each containing 5 kilograms of rice, 5 kilograms of potatoes, and 1 kilogram of lentils. We went to Barahut and Kamalganj where the flooding was the most serious in Moulvibazar District to provide help and relief.
In the evening of August 29, we traveled from Chittagong to Sylhet, and more than 20 volunteers from Red Crescent Society also set out with us. After arriving on the 30th, we first gathered and stored everything in Barahut, then asked the victims of Barahut and Kamalganj to come to receive the relief packages. In total, 1,000 families in Barahut and 300 in Kamalganj received aid.
The mayor of Moulvibazar Municipality, the honorable MD Fazlul Rahman, also came to the distribution site to introduce our Association as well as our relief activities around the world. He also helped the distribution work. When receiving supplies and eating cookies, many children and women were very happy. Their radiating smiles of joy made us feel God’s overflowing love. We returned home filled with bliss and contentment. The local news media also came to interview us and published an article in the local newspaper “PATAKURIDESH.” Our special thanks go to the volunteers from Red Crescent Society. Their help allowed our relief work to be carried out smoothly.
On August 31, we returned to Dhaka from Sylhet, and returned to Taiwan in the evening of September 1, thus concluding this mission’s act of love; to assist disaster victims. Thanks to Master’s abundant blessing, our relief team was able to smoothly and successfully complete the mission.
Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Flood Victims and Rohingya Refugees Relief Work in Bangladesh
| Description | Amount (BDT) | Receipt |
| Food (rice, potatoes and lentils) | 3,230,800 | A |
| Warehouse rental fee and packing material expense | 169,960 | B |
| Transportation cost and wage | 124,000 | C |
| Total | BDT 3,524,760 US$ 42,006 |
Formosa centers contributed about US$5,271 to cover travel, food and lodging expenses of the relief team.
Packaging the material
Distributing the relief material — Rohingya refugee camp
Distributing the relief material — Sylhet Division